Government officials and police chiefs nationwide have expressed concerns about a total eclipse in early April. They are worried about drivers being distracted, traffic jams, cellphone failures, huge crowds, and the exponential increase in the demand for food, water, and fuel as towns experience astronomical population growth as eclipse-gazers flock to the best viewing locations. Concerns over student safety have led some schools nationwide to announce their closure.
A unique total solar eclipse will traverse North America on April 8, 2024, spanning fifteen US states along a path 115 miles wide.
As the moon seems to engulf the sun’s surface, the eclipse is anticipated to begin in Mexico. As the eclipse progresses over the United States, parts of the country will be entirely in darkness for a few minutes before the path of totality crosses into Canada.
Several universities will be closing for the day. On April 8, all Ivy Tech Community College locations in Indiana will be online. On the eclipse day, all in-person courses at Indiana University will not be held. Several campuses are directly in the line of totality, including those in Bloomington, Indianapolis, Kokomo, Richmond, and Columbus. Additionally, on the eclipse’s day, many schools in the state will be either shutting early, releasing kids early, or providing online learning opportunities.
Similar college closures will occur in other states. For instance, Ohio Northern University and Lorain County Community College both declared their intention to close their doors. School at Texas State University in San Marcos and Round Rock will be canceled from 12 to 2:00 p.m. due to the solar eclipse, and UT Austin will also cancel school for an event dubbed “Total Eclipse of the Horns.”
Many eclipse-related educational events will be held at schools throughout the US. Participatory scientific experiments have been publicized by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) via the social media platform X.
You should not view the eclipse without special protective glasses.
